"or they might take some of my friends
away with them in mistake."

(This was pretty fooling; but it scarce struck me as suited to the
dignity of the occasion.)

Presently the interpreter was saying how consumed with loyal envy were
these Moors at all the splendour that they saw about them.

"It is better to be envied than pitied," observed His Majesty, with a
very serious look.

* * * * *

At first be bore himself with extraordinary geniality this evening. He
had been drinking a little, I think, yet not at all to excess, for this
he never did, though he had no objection to others doing so in his
company. There was related of him, I remember, how the Lord Mayor once,
after a City Banquet, pressed His Majesty very unduly to remain a little
longer after he had risen up to go. His Majesty was already at the door
when the Mayor did this, even venturing--(for he was pretty far gone in
wine)--to lay his fingers on the King's arm.

His Majesty looked at him for an instant, and then burst out laughing.

"Ah well!" he said, quoting the old song, "'He that is drunk is as great
as a King.'"

And he went back and drank another bottle.

* * * * *

He was in that merry kind of mood, then, this evening: but such moods
have their reactions; and half an hour later he was beginning first to
yawn behind his hand and then to wear a heavy look on his face. Her
Majesty observed it, too, as I could see: for she fell silent (which was
the worst thing in the world to do), and began to eye him sidelong with
a kind of dismay. (It was wonderful how little knowledge she had of how
to manage him; and how she shewed to all present what she was feeling.)

Presently he was paying no more attention to her at all, but was leaning
back in his chair, listening to my Lord Dorset who was talking in his
ear; and nodding and smiling rather heavily sometimes. I felt very sorry
for the Queen; but I had best have been feeling sorry for myself, for it
was now, that, all unknown to me, a design was maturing against me,
though not from my Lord Dorset.

As I was about to turn away, to go once more through the rooms before
taking my leave, I observed Mr. Chiffinch coming through very fast from
the direction of the King's apartments, as if he had some message. He
did not observe me, as I was within the crowd; but I saw him go up,
threading his way as well as he could, and touching one or two to